Which Peptide is Better Sermorelin or Ipamorelin?
Sermorelin vs. Ipamorelin: What’s The Difference?
Peptide therapy has changed the lives of many people across the globe. Besides slowing down the natural aging process, peptides aid in weight loss, improve cognitive function, and offer many other benefits. Essentially, peptides are amino acid strings that are naturally produced in the body. They regulate various body processes and functions, including muscle growth, cognitive functions, and the immune system.
However, the natural production of peptides in the body decreases with age, which impairs several body functions. As such, most people often turn to peptide therapy to regain optimal body functioning. Peptide therapy can treat several age-associated health issues, stimulate growth hormone production, slow aging signs, and improve cognitive functions.
Sermorelin and Ipamorelin are the two commonly used peptides in peptide therapies. Below is a rundown of how these two popular peptides differ.
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. It has 29 amino acid chains and is primarily used as a base for introducing people to peptide therapy. Besides stimulating the release of GH, Sermorelin extends growth hormone highs. It extends its peak and prolongs the half-life of elevated GH levels.
As a result, Sermorelin can produce the following benefits:
Boosts lean muscle mass
Improves immune system health
Enhances natural sleep patterns
What is Ipamorelin?
Like Sermorelin, Ipamorelin stimulates the secretion of growth hormones. However, it affects different receptors. Unlike Sermorelin, Ipamorelin is a five-amino acid chain that works as a secretagogue with ghrelin in the pituitary gland. A secretagogue is a compound that stimulates the secretion of another substance.
Ipamorelin was initially manufactured to improve gastrointestinal function recovery in patients after bowel surgery. However, it proved ineffective and was discontinued for this use.
However, Ipamorelin is beneficial in:
Decreasing body fat
Increasing lean body mass
Increases energy levels
Stimulates collagen production
Improves sexual performance and sex drive
Improved Recovery Time
Promotes Tissue Healing
As mentioned, Ipamorelin is a ghrelin analog. Ghrelin highly favors food intake. This means Ipamorelin shifts the balance towards lean body mass deposition. On the other hand, while both peptides stimulate the development of bones and connective tissues, Ipamorelin has an added advantage. Ipamorelin effectively increases bone density and mineralization.
How Do Sermorelin and Ipamorelin Differ
These two commendable peptides differ in the following ways:
- Genetic makeup
The genetic composition of these two anti-aging peptides differs subtly. Generally, both peptides help stimulate the production and release of HGH in the body. However, the chemical processes behind these processes slightly differ. For instance, Ipamorelin has comparably few amino acids, which explains why it is available in different forms. Sermorelin is a large peptide with 29 amino acid blocks.
- Sermorelin and Ipamorelin effects on HGH
Both Sermorelin and Ipamorelin increase HGH levels in the body. However, Sermorelin directly stimulates the production of HGH from the pituitary gland. An increase in HGH volume leads to increased Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) levels, which boosts cellular growth and metabolism.
Sermorelin works with the body’s endocrine system to ensure the growth hormone levels in the body remain balanced. This eliminates the fear of excess production often associated with synthetic HGH therapies.
On the other hand, Ipamorelin stimulates the release of HGH by mimicking the actions of ghrelin in the body. Ipamorelin binds with ghrelin receptors in the brain, triggering several physiological effects, which include stimulation of the pituitary gland to release GH.
- Sermorelin and Ipamorelin administration
Sermorelin is a large amino acid and thus can only be administered through injection. Ipamorelin has small amino acid chains and is available in different forms. However, it is mainly administered subcutaneously.
- Sermorelin prolongs HGH
Sermorelin helps balance high and low HGH levels in the body, which extends its functionality. It binds to pituitary gland receptors, boosting the body’s natural GH production throughout. This contrasts with Ipamorelin, which has a short half-life and drastically increases GH levels.
The Bottom Line
Sermorelin is an older generation peptide that stimulates the brain to release GHRH (growth hormone releasing hormone) by the pituitary gland for approximately 10-12 minutes.
The newer generation peptides, such as ipamorelin and cjc/ipamorelin, actually stimulate the brain for a longer period of time (up to 30 minutes) to release GHRH.
Peptides come in all different doses and frequencies. If you are considering peptide therapy, consult with an expert that specializes in hormone replacement therapy.